The community of Ga-Mokgokong village outside Polokwane in Limpopo is still reeling in shock after a grade 12 learner committed suicide over the past weekend.
Twenty-year-old Joseph Maimela reportedly took his own life after incidents of alleged bullying at Kgabo Secondary School.
The learner left a suicide note in which he detailed the alleged abusive treatment perpetrated by some teachers at the school.
Maimela’s untimely death has left many in his community shocked. He was allegedly bullied by some of his educators. His fellow learners believe a recent bullying incident involving his report card being published to the entire school may have contributed to the suicide.
The school management says Maimela was struggling with various subjects. His classmates and friends are distraught. They witnessed some of the alleged bullying.
“He was insulted by those two teachers and it happened regularly.”
“It seems like the reason he took his life was because of our teachers who treat us badly or talk badly to us.”
“No, it was not fair because teachers are supposed to be our parents, they would not treat us like that.”
The family says Maimela started showing signs of academic stress recently. They were also informed by some learners that he was constantly bullied by teachers.
“He wrote the letters that the teachers were bullying him so he was able to come to us and talk to us because he was stressed sometimes, he had headaches and he cannot talk,” says family member Annah Maimela.
Joseph Maimela has been described as a reserved and quiet person.
“Joseph was quiet, he would not argue with anyone. If someone tried to argue with him, he would respectfully walk away,” says another family member Thoko Maimela.
Education officials are conducting an investigation.
Meanwhile, funeral arrangements are under way at his family home.
Video: School Bullying – Limpopo Grade 12 learner commits suicide after allegedly being bullied by teachers
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